Vojni muzej Solkan

History of Solkan

According to archaeological interceptions and it is also the oldest place in Gorizia, which is in written historical sources mention the current name belongs among the oldest settlements Solkan. As a city or village castle was first mentioned in conjunction with the village of Gorica in the imperial paper of 28 April 1,001th Place name comes from time, the name of Gorizia and gave the Slavs and Slovenes.

About life in this area show traces of 15 thousand years old. There should be more than 3400 years ago stood Noreja, the capital of Noricum, renowned for gold, which was dug in the area, particularly in Sabotinu. At the time of Julius Caesar conquered by the Romans. Later, the Lombards of important strategic position here built a military fortress. Solkan was also alleged link to the Lombard defense system, important in the formation of the western Slovenian border. His castle was both a military and administrative center of the lower Soča Valley. For the Lombards seized power in Frankish kings, and in 1001 the deed of gift Otona III. first recorded name Castellum Siliganum, probably stood on the hill of St.. Catherine, known as Kekec. Tradition says that was therein, now demolished church was built from the ruins of the castle. Solkan priest is first mentioned in 12th century.

Solkan village has evolved around the church. Stephen and one of the oldest parishes in Slovenian. In its umbrella included the Gorica, which is just the end of the 14th Century got its own church.

The growth of Gorizia on the Counts of Gorizia Solkan lost administrative significance, in 1399 the church has authority over Gorizia. Since then, he lived as a suburb of Gorizia, which had possession of the church and secular fevdalci. It had its own mayor, but otherwise belonged Grafenberg domination of Gorizia.

In the Middle Ages was Solkan mainly peasant village, the situation is unique Solkan farmer in the monarchy, which had in the provincial assembly representatives and their influence on decisions relating to benefits and other pressures. Therefore did not participate in the first wave of peasant revolts. At the famous 1713 Tolmin Puntu was collection point resistance. In the 15th century Solkance compromising Turks, who have pitched well here, but even worse was the plague, which has been brought from 15 century. In order to protect it, in the 17th century church was built. Period, which was later demolished.

At the time of the Protestant Primož Trubar lived here, but nonetheless it was on the holy mountain formed an important religious and pilgrimage center. At the dedication of the Venetian doge gave a picture of Mary. In the 17th century are beginning to emerge in Solkan important noble families who build residential buildings and give the place a bourgeois and noble appearance. Exit Grimarjeva mansion or palace with a garden and cypress, Paniaco villa, villa Puppet, now known as Sabotin hotel, villa and Bartolomei, which today show (from 1918 to 1947) Gorica Museum. Here's another fairy Lenassi Odoneja entrepreneur who left her abandoned children. His father helped develop industrial work Solkan at Sochi. He set the mill and sawmill, paper mill and manufakturo skirt and wipes. Around 1858 there begins to develop carpentry. The first known maker has come from Friuli. Solkan carpenters were famous masters such as marquetry, carved detail, polish and other techniques by far in the world. In the 19th century buildings, some designed to obtain beautiful classicist facade.

The People's School was founded in 1857 Solkan, reading room and 10 years later. Already the first free Sunday in May 1945, Solkanci founded a choir, then a library and a drama group in the People's Society reading room.

In the early 20th century Solkan gets its true symbol - Technical and artistic wonders of their time - most of carved stone, with the largest arch in the world.

During World War I was place on the very front line Isonzo front and totally destroyed, people in exile. Fall under the municipality of Gorizia Italy and all the way to a peace treaty in September 1947, when it belonged to Yugoslavia. During World War II was Solkan core resistance Solkanci participated in illegal fight against fascism and serious casualties fell during the Liberation War. Under Yugoslavia was initially temporary Gorizia district center, and later fused with the Nova Gorica and ceased to exist as a village until 1988.

Cemetery with the Church. Period between World War I (image is owned by DSF)

Here is home to many famous Solkancev who ponesli name around the world and a huge contribution to the development. There are, inter alia, born predecessor of modern bacteriology Plenčič Marko Anton, Anton Mihelič neurologist, puppeteer and artist Milan Klemencic, philosopher and mountaineer Dr. Klement Jug, Jože Srebrnič national hero, Boris and sculptor Zdenko Kalin, literary historian Dušan Pirjevec, olimpionika Marusic and Franko, policy Josko Marusic Štrukelj and Thomas.

Street in Solkan 31.10.1917 (image is owned by DSF)

Despite the stormy times that spent is kept Solkan some cultural monuments and sites. It certainly belongs among the stone railway bridge over the Soca (upgraded in 1906), the pilgrimage church of Sveta Gora (destroyed in World War I, then reset), the home parish church. Stephen, mountain back with some Sabotin konservirano Gothic church, and witnesses the First World War.

Military poreboju tailings from 24.10.1917 (the last picture DSF)

In 2001, when he paid tribute to the thousands of years Solkan first mention in written historical sources, was erected on the Square J. Srebrnič modern well designed, on the market. M.A. Plenčiča the monument tisočletnici.

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